A desire to help protect others and rehabilitate people who commit crimes can help you succeed in the criminal justice field. Depending on the type of job, you might work in an office or outdoors, investigating crimes and responding to citizen complaints. As an employee working in criminal justice, you may also be required to work weekends and nights.

Police Officer

Police officers investigate crimes, issue traffic citations, apprehend criminals and patrol roadways and neighborhoods. They also write detailed reports regarding civil and criminal cases they handle. According to the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, police officers must generally be at least 21 years old and have a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED). In addition, they must be United States citizens and pass written and physical examinations during training academy before they start working in communities. As of May 2011, police officers and sheriff’s patrol officers earned a mean annual wage of $56,260.

Private Detective

Private detectives conduct work that includes analyzing data, searching for missing persons, interviewing suspects and witnesses, and conducting surveillance. Some employers require private detectives to have completed college. The BLS reports that most states mandate that private detectives pass a licensing examination. The mean annual wage for private detectives and investigators in May 2011 was $48,610.

Probation Officer

A bachelor’s degree is generally needed to get hired as a probation officer. Once hired, probation officers supervise criminal justice offenders, discussing and arranging treatment plans for them. Some probation officers work with teens, while other officers work with adults. In addition to having a college degree, probation officers must also generally pass verbal, psychological and written examinations. As of May 2011, probation officers and correctional treatment specialists received a mean annual wage of $52,110, according to the BLS.

Corrections Officer

Corrections officers work in jails and prisons. They enforce rules at the facilities where they are employed. They may work days, nights or weekends. In addition, they supervise, observe and counsel inmates. Generally, a high school diploma or a GED is sufficient educational background to get hired as a corrections officer. The BLS reports that correctional treatment specialists and probation officers earned a mean annual wage of $52,110, as of May 2011.

Considerations

Other jobs in the criminal justice field are filled by lawyers and judges. However, some lawyers and judges also cover civil court cases in addition to covering criminal court cases. Depending on the state they work in, judges may be required to have a law degree. According to the BLS, judges generally gain their court skills by working as an attorney before they are appointed or elected to serve as a judge. Furthermore, lawyers are required to complete a doctorate degree and pass a written bar exam. Both lawyers and judges use active listening skills to fulfill their jobs. Lawyers must also possess solid communication and research skills.

About the Author

Rhonda Campbell is an entrepreneur, radio host and author. She has more than 17 years of business, human resources and project management experience and decades of book, newspaper, magazine, radio and business writing experience. Her works have appeared in leading periodicals like "Madame Noire," "Halogen TV," "The Network Journal," "Essence," "Your Church Magazine," "The Trenton Times," "Pittsburgh Quarterly" and "New Citizens Press."